Sign frame



Y H. E. CRAFT I S IGN FRAME Filed Nov. 12. 1923 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS ?atented (Jet. 28, 1924.

HJNETEE HOWARD E. CRAFT, O3? SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

SIGN FRAME.

Appflication filed November 12, 1923.

To a]! whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, HowARn E. CRAFT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield. in the county of Hampden and State of li fassachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Sign Frames, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in collapsible advertising signs and more particularly to advertising signs commonly known as fttype sidewalk signs.

()ne object of the invention is the provision of a sign that is light in weight and of durable construction.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel structure whereby the sides of the sign are in nested compact relation when collapsed for shipping purposes.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the sign in its open position;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational fragmentary view showing the upper portion of the sign sides in a closed position; and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective View showing the hinged portion of the sign frame.

The sign in the form at present preferred, is shown in Fig. 1 but it will be readily understood that modifications may be made in its construction without departing from the scope of the invention, the form shown being merely for the purpose of disclosing the novel features of the invention.

in detail the sign comprises two hingedly connected members 1 and 2 that are adapted to receive upon the outer faces thereof, advertising matter or the like.

Each of the sides 1 and 2 comprise frames that are formed of angle bars 3 and 4: bent into the shape of an inverted U. As will be seen from Fig. 1 the flanges 3 and 4' of the angle bars 3 and 4 are directed inwardly and toward one another to provide inwardly extending stiffening flange members. Sheets 5 and 6 preferably of metal, are placed beneath the transverse legs of the angle bars and are secured to their respective legs by means of rivets or bolts 7. The said sheets 5 and 6 are preferably somewhat shorter in length than the height of the U shaped frame members but may, if desired, be extended to the end of the said frame members. The lower ends 3" and 4: of the Serial No. 674,219.

said angle bars 3 and 4t serve as supporting feet for the sign when the same is opened for display purposes.

A transverse bar 8 is provided to connect the opposite sides of each of the U shaped members and also to receive the lower ends of the sheets 5 and 6 while rivets or bolts 9 are provided as shown, to hold the angle bars. cross bar and sheet together in a rigid relation. The U shaped frame member 3 is preferably made less in width than the frame 1 in order that the inwardly extending flanges 3 thereof will fit between the inwardly eX- tending flanges 4 of the angle'bar 4. A

pivotal member 10 such as a-rivet or bolt extends through the adjacent flanges 3" and 4: of the frame member and functions as a hinge to facilitate an opening and closino movement of the said frame.

When the side frames are in their closed collapsed position it will be noted that the frame 3 is embraced between the flanges of the frame 4 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and forms a thin, flat package and since the flanges of the sides are closely adjacent, they support one another in a manner to provide a rigid structure capable of withstanding the stresses and strains incident to the handling of the signs in shipment.

Links 11 and 12 that are hingedly connected together at 13 are pivotally connected at 14 to the flanges 3 and 4 of the frame bars. The said links are provided with a knuckle 14 that is constructed and arranged so as to limit the outward movement of the frame members in their open position and are adapted to fold upwardly when the legs are moved inwardly to a closed collapsed relation.

When the sign is opened as in Fig. 1 the ends of the frame members are adapted to support the same in a rigid relation while the knuckle links 11 and 12 serve to hold the same in place and prevents a spreading and the disposition thereof it is extremely rigid in construction and compact when collapsed.

What I claim is:

1. A sign of the class described compris ing, display members having inwardly extending flanges, the said members being so constructed and arranged that the flanges of one of said members interfit the flanges of the other of said members, and pivotal hinge members for connecting the adjacent inter fitting flanges of the said members whereby they may be moved relatively one to the other between open or closed positions.

2. L 1 of the class described comprising, angle irons bent to form U shaped frame members having flanges extending inwardly therefrom, display sheets carried by the saic frame members, one of said frame members being narrower than the other whereby the inwardly extending flanges thereof may interfit between the extending flanges of the other frame and pivot members connecting the inwardly extending flanges of the said frames at the upper corners thereof whereby their lower ends may be moved toward or away from each other.

A sign of the class described co-mpris in angle irons bent to form U shaped frame members having flanges extending inwardly therefrom, display sheets carried by the said frame members, one of said frame members being narrower than the other whereby the inwardly extending flanges thereof may interfit between the extending langes of the other frame, and pivot members connecting the inwardly extending of the said frames whereby they may be moved toward or away from each other, and pivoted locking links connecting the said frames to limit the opening movement thereof.

In testimony whereof I have affiXed my signature.

HOWARD E. CRAFT. 

